Brits Turn Off The Heating In Coldest Winter for 13 years

Southern Britain endured its coldest temperatures since 1991 – the country as a whole suffered its worst winter for 13 years

Recession-hit Brits layed off the gas this winter

Sky News | Feb 17, 2009

Demand for gas in the UK dropped this winter despite Britons shivering in the coldest weather for 13 years.

As blizzards battered the country, recession-hit Brits appeared to turn down the heating and break out the woolies.

Gas consumption fell by 4% from October to mid-December compared to the same time last year.

National Grid said people cutting down on spending because of the recession was to blame for the drop in demand.

“If you take out exports there has been a 4% drop in gas demand,” a National grid spokesman said.

“(The recession) is what we think is driving it.

“Across the winter so far, if you correct for weather, we have seen local distribution zone demand down 6% compared to last year.”

Freezing temperatures and snow storms have blanketed parts of the UK this year.

Southern Britain endured its coldest temperatures since 1991 – the country as a whole suffered its worst winter for 13 years – while Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands recorded -18.4C (-1.1F).

The snow and freezing temperatures should have raised demand for gas.

National Grid said many industries that use gas as a raw material had cut back on consumption because of falling demand for their own goods.